A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1994

The learning and innovation are very important issues in construction organization to remain competitive in the market and to maximize its gains from experience. Even though there is wide acceptance that constant learning and innovation is an engine for industrial development, little is known about its implementation in the construction industry. Through literature review, questionnaire survey, and site interviews, the author finds that to achieve the learning and innovation in a construction organization, key factors are to create a learning environment with top management support, and not too engrossed in short term measures of financial performance. According to questionnaire survey, the characteristics that foster Thai construction organizations in learning and innovation are found to be: (1) longer period of establishment (2) more employees (3) annual turnover more than 1 Billion Baht ( 4) international organization (5) available of R&D department The survey result further indicates that the construction organization spend their years with learning and innovation in following pattern: - Spend their early years learning and trying to exist. - Spend their medium term years trying to perfect their organization and increase the market share. - Spend their adult years innovating and trying to conquer the construction environment. Use of specialist research centre could be very effective for Thai construction industry which has been short of technicians and advanced technologies. However, technology must be introduced with due regard for associated training to make it effective and maximize its advantages.